Chandler Simpson has gained a reputation for being the fastest player in baseball.
The 24-year-old outfielder was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022 and has blazed through their system. He’s in Triple-A Durham this season and batting .297 with 5 stolen bases in 8 games. Simpson stole 94 bases in 2023, which was his first full season in the minors. Then last year he stole 104 bases in 110 minor league games (32 games in Single-A and 78 in Double-A).
For a feature on the Cape Cod League’s website, Simpson shared a great quote about one of his goals as a player.
“I want to get to the point where everyone in the stadium knows that I’m going and there’s literally nothing you can do,” Simpson said, according to writer Adam Greene.
He’s getting close to being in that territory. Simpson had a success rate of 86 percent on stolen bases in the minors last season. He has not been caught stealing yet this season. Simpson has also pulled off some ridiculous feats recently, such as beating out a ground ball to first base. He also beat out a ground ball easily in spring training.
In late March, Simpson pulled a Willie Mays Hayes and drew a walk in a game, then stole second, third and went home on a bad throw.
Chandler Simpson is an absolute menace
— Jake (@TBRaysCentral) March 29, 2025
He just single handedly scored a run to start the game as he drew a walk, stole 2nd, stole third and then went home on a bad throw. pic.twitter.com/2T0nlX05Bu
Simpson has top-level speed and knows how to use it to his advantage. The Rays and their fans are probably eager for the day he gets called up to the big club.
